Cleaning products – and asthma?

What is asthma?Asthma is a chronic lung disease in which the airways are sensitive, resulting in them narrowing when exposed to certain triggers. This makes breathing more difficult.

Symptoms of asthma include recurrent wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing.

Over 2 million Australians have asthma – about 1 in 10 adults and about 1 in 9 or 10 children.[1] Since 2001, the prevalence of asthma has declined in children and young adults but remained stable in adults aged 35 years and over.[2]

What’s the myth?It has been suggested that use of household cleaning products, especially sprays, increases the risk of asthma.

FACT: Cleaning and cleaning products reduce household levels of allergensThe main asthma triggers are dust mites, pet hair, smoke, pollen, mould and cockroach droppings. Many of these triggers are present in all households. Different people who suffer from asthma have different levels of sensitivity to different triggers.

Many of these triggers are also common allergens, causing allergic reactions in certain susceptible individuals. Indeed, allergy and asthma often go hand in hand.

However, cleaning is a vital part of reducing the levels of many of these triggers in the indoor environment. Even though cleaning can stir up the air and the allergens in it, it is essential to prevent the build-up of allergens.

Important cleaning activities include:

regular laundering of linen and other soft furnishings

vacuuming of carpets

sweeping, mopping or dusting of hard surfaces

removal of mould from areas prone to dampness

removal of food scraps and spills, and cleaning of food preparation surfaces, utensils and crockery

removal of rubbish

FACT: Savvy use of cleaning products can help minimise asthma triggersCleaning products introduce particles into the air, so they can trigger asthma attack in some susceptible individuals, just like other particles in the air can. However, household cleaning products are not listed by major asthma associations as a primary trigger of asthma.

Some tips that could help minimise the risk of an asthma attack during cleaning:

Follow label instructions, which indicate the amount of product to use, how to use the product, and safety advice.

If using spray cleaners, spray onto a cloth or sponge and then wipe the surface.

Make sure the room is well ventilated, and allow it to air after cleaning

Try using fragrance-free cleaning products

Try using a face mask while you clean, which will help prevent the inhalation of airborne particles from the cleaning product and that have been dislodged from the surface by the action of cleaning.